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Dr. Teresa E. Richter

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Dr. Richter has a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND), and a Bachelor’s degree in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University, the leading institution in Natural Medicine. Dr. Richter is currently the Vice President for the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians, formerly the Treasurer, and sits as the chair of the continuing education committee. I guide those seeking optimal health and holistic approaches to health concerns through patient-centered care, treating the whole person, not just a set of symptoms.

With empathy, unconditional positive regard, innovative personalized treatment plans, and cutting edge Naturopathic methods, I partner with you to look and feel your best. My treatments give you the best of integrative medicine. Naturopathic doctors are functional medicine specialists. I utilize Naturopathic treatment modalities such as Botanical Medicine, Supplements, Craniosacral Therapy, Homeopathic Remedies, Hydrotherapy, and pharmaceutical prescribing when appropriate. ​​Providing both individual and family care, the most common ailments treated are allergies, chronic pain, digestive issues, obesity, heart disease, fertility, menopause, cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Naturopathic Physicians place a strong emphasis on natural remedies that add to the broad spectrum of remedies available.

Her determination with her own health issues inspires her to help others and helps her better understand her patients. She works to constantly improve her own skills as a doctor to help her patients enjoy better health. She is also a licensed massage therapist with a certificate from Bastyr University and Cortiva Institute. In addition to the required coursework, Dr. Richter also did an elective study in Craniosacral therapy, Homeopathy, Ayurvedic Medicine, Aromatherapy, Pain management, and IV Therapy. Dr. Richter's clinical rotations included primary care, physical medicine, homeopathy, IV therapy, Counseling, HIV/Immune Wellness, Women's Health, and off-site at the Carolyn Downs Clinic providing care to under-served populations. 
Learn More About Me
20 years Experience
Dr. Teresa E. Richter
Specializes in:
  • Doctor
  • Kirkland, WA
  • Bastyr University
  • Accepting new patients

What is the treatment of lactose intolerance?

Hello, Lactose intolerance is a deficiency in the enzymes that digest the lactose sugars found in dairy products. Avoiding dairy is the best treatment, however, you can take Lactaid READ MORE
Hello, Lactose intolerance is a deficiency in the enzymes that digest the lactose sugars found in dairy products. Avoiding dairy is the best treatment, however, you can take Lactaid or some sort of lactase enzyme when you are going to eat dairy to help lessen the symptoms. Teresa Richter, ND 634 7th Ave Kirkland,WA 98033 425-448-3232 425-448-1322 (Fax) drteresarichter@gmail.com www.drteresarichter.com

Coughing after first covid vaccine over a week now?

It is not uncommon to feel like you are "sick" due to the immune response that the vaccine causes your body to have. This should be a temporary situation and should clear up in READ MORE
It is not uncommon to feel like you are "sick" due to the immune response that the vaccine causes your body to have. This should be a temporary situation and should clear up in a week or two.

Teresa Richter, ND

Antibiotic & in between COVID vaccine injections?

Yes, it is okay to take the antibiotic, but it is absolutely not okay to stop it early. You must finish all the medication, and a Zpack is only 5 days. It is 1 pill per day after READ MORE
Yes, it is okay to take the antibiotic, but it is absolutely not okay to stop it early. You must finish all the medication, and a Zpack is only 5 days. It is 1 pill per day after the first day. There should be no trouble to take 1 more pill on one more day. They must finished the whole course to prevent getting sick again and to prevent super bugs from forming. It doesn't matter if they are feeling better, they must finish the whole course of the antibiotics!

Is tramadol a narcotic pain medicine?

Tramadol is not technically a narcotic. It has no opioid in it at all. It works on the same receptors and can have just as good of a pain relieving effect without having to take READ MORE
Tramadol is not technically a narcotic. It has no opioid in it at all. It works on the same receptors and can have just as good of a pain relieving effect without having to take an opioid. Back when it was introduced it was not a controlled substance, but they found that there were still issues with abuse and addiction, so in 2014 the FDA classified it as a controlled substance. Even though some doctors call it an opiate, it doesn't contain opiate like you would find in morphine or oxycodone. It is a much safe option, although there can still be some issues with it.

How do you get rid of bone spurs in your heel?

Bone spurs usually require surgery

Sex and ejaculation without arousal concerns?

There are many reasons why this could be the case, stress is usually at the top of the list, fatigue, hormone imbalance, lack of sleep, poor diet, lack of hydration. If this continues READ MORE
There are many reasons why this could be the case, stress is usually at the top of the list, fatigue, hormone imbalance, lack of sleep, poor diet, lack of hydration. If this continues for a long time, you may want to see a doctor for some blood tests for your testosterone levels. However, try to manage your stress level through meditation, exercise, get 7-9 hours of sleep per night, eat good food and drink lots of water and this may resolve itself.

What is the best exercise for lungs?

Cardio exercise is best for the lungs such as running, walking, stair-climbing, anything that gets your heart pumping and breathing hard.

Does holding your breath strengthen your lungs?

No, not necessarily, cardiovascular exercise and breathing exercises can strengthen the lungs.

Can kidney problems cause back pain?

Absolutely. Kidney infections, kidney stones can cause back pain. If you are having a fever and back pain it is best to get it looked at.

When should I go to the doctor for kidney pain?

Yes, you could be having a kidney stone, infection, or other issue that needs to be treated.

Can strep throat become serious?

Yes, if left untreated, strep throat can lead to scarlet fever, acute glomerulonephritis (kidney infection), rheumatic heart disease that damages your heart valves. If you have READ MORE
Yes, if left untreated, strep throat can lead to scarlet fever, acute glomerulonephritis (kidney infection), rheumatic heart disease that damages your heart valves. If you have strep throat, I would highly recommend treating it with antibiotics right away and gargle with warm salt water. Follow up with lots of probiotics.

Levels of B21 and folate?

NO, I would recommend continuing to take the supplements. It is showing high because you are taking them. B-vitamins are water soluble and really hard to have toxicity from them READ MORE
NO, I would recommend continuing to take the supplements. It is showing high because you are taking them. B-vitamins are water soluble and really hard to have toxicity from them even when high. The body will generally clear out what you don't need. If your red blood cells remain large, you may want to consider that you may have an MTHFR genetic mutation and may need to be taking methylated folic acid (folate) and Methylcobalamin (methyl B12). You can extrapolate this from raw data from a 23 and me or ancestry DNA test, or you can ask your doctor to test your for the MTHFR mutation.

Why do diabetics need a pneumococcal vaccine?

Diabetes puts you more at risk for contracting other diseases. Getting the vaccine is just a precaution to protect you from pneumonia. You may be more immune compromised due to READ MORE
Diabetes puts you more at risk for contracting other diseases. Getting the vaccine is just a precaution to protect you from pneumonia. You may be more immune compromised due to the diabetes making it easier for your to get something like that.

What happens if a heel spur goes untreated?

Usually it will get larger and more painful.

What does this mean?

It sounds like you could have a virus. It would be best to get looked at by a doctor or urgent care.

Light headed?

The dizziness could be blood pressure related. Due to the medication, at times it could be going too low. Especially if you are getting dizzy when you stand up. your blood pressure READ MORE
The dizziness could be blood pressure related. Due to the medication, at times it could be going too low. Especially if you are getting dizzy when you stand up. your blood pressure drops when you stand up from sitting or bending down and if the medication is making it a little too low, that is most likely the cause. you may need your medication adjusted a bit. Make sure you are drinking lots of water. With the previous stents, it may be a good idea to have an appointment with your cardiologist just to make sure something new isn't going on.

Feel heavy in lower abdomen?

Most doctors are open for visits and also have telemedicine available. You have not given me enough information here to make any sort of determination as to what might be going READ MORE
Most doctors are open for visits and also have telemedicine available. You have not given me enough information here to make any sort of determination as to what might be going on, however, I would recommend finding a doctor to look at it.

Losing big toenail?

That kind of thing is not uncommon as far as hiking or running. You can do either, whatever you are comfortable with. You can wait for it to fall off or can soak it and take the READ MORE
That kind of thing is not uncommon as far as hiking or running. You can do either, whatever you are comfortable with. You can wait for it to fall off or can soak it and take the rest of it off.

What happens to the rest of the stomach after gastric bypass?

Your stomach and small intestine get fully removed and your esophagus is connected to your colon.

Big lumps on abdomen?

Please have those looked at by a doctor. They should just be lipomas, which are just benign fatty deposits under the skin, however, since it is causing pain, it is worth having READ MORE
Please have those looked at by a doctor. They should just be lipomas, which are just benign fatty deposits under the skin, however, since it is causing pain, it is worth having it looked at. You are very young. If you are constipated and thin you could be feeling backed up stool potentially. I would get an abdominal exam and possibly ultrasound right away.